Who are the GDC (general dental council) and what do they do?

The GDC, general dental council are a council funded by the registration fees of dentists and other dental professionals who's aim is supposed to be to protect patients. There has been a lot in the press lately from the British dental association and othersources about whether they are actually doing their job properly and it has caused quite a rift between the council and dentists. The main issue in the latest news is that of reports showing that the GDC, based in Offices in London were very inefficient in the way they managed cases and as a result raised the registration fee for dentists from £576 a year to around £900 per year to make up for their shortcomings.

The GDC produce guidelines for dentists to follow as well as deal with complaints/fitness to practice proceedings from patients or dentists about dentists or other dentists. They advertise for patients to complain to them but often do not make patients aware that the best course of action is almost Always to contact your own dental practice directly. Often potential complaints and problems can be dealt with simply and easily just by talking to your dentist or practice manager about your concerns. The GDC are there for when a local resolution cannot be met and they will manage legal cases on patients behalf against dentists, usually for what is deemed negligence.

So the general dental council, really are there to protect patients, that is, if you cannot come to a local solution or resolution you can call them. If you call them in the first instance they will most likely refer you to make a complaint at your own practice (or at least they should)

The General Dental Council whilst regulating dentists and dental professionals, do not act as legal representatives for dentists or dental professionals in legal cases, dentists will have indemnity providers such as dental protection that will cover their own fees and act like their insurance company, that is if you decide something really needs taking up with the GDC as a local resolution cannot be met and the GDC have decided to take on your case then the GDC will cover your costs and the costs of legal proceedings (paid for by the registration fees of dentists and dental professionals) and your dentists insurance/indemnity company will represent them.

Dentists must have indemnity/insurance and pay their fees to the GDC to continue practising dentistry in the UK. So you can be rest assured that if in the unfortunate incident that you are not happy with your dental treatment and wish to complain:

You can complain directly to the dental practice in the first instance and hopefully come to a local resolutionIf not, then you can complain to the GDC who will take on your case if the dentist is deemed to have done something negligent, criminal or otherwise unlawful.If you win the case you will be compensated by the dentists insurance/indemnity companyIf you do not win the case but the GDC deemed it appropriate then the GDC will cover the legal costs

We, as dentists, want you to be happy with your dental treatment, if you are not then tell us, TELL YOUR DENTIST so they can rectify the situation and give everyone peace of mind. If you cannot come to a solution and you really believe you deserve compensation then you know you have options without having to worry about the expense of legal costs. If your case does not seem compensatory worthy then the GDC, although acting on the behalf of patients will not pursue it as it would be inefficient use of funds to fight unworthy cases.